Ballcock



Jan. 11, 1938. I J. F. DUNCAN ETAL BALLCOCK Filed May 2, 1954 s m T N Z E N y mlm Mw I A 11A? 1 Bf 2 7 Z L. 4 1 7 Z Z1 6 l@ 4 3m @V mm W .@m 5 .o0 Tlumya Z g 7 00 w y: l. l)

Patented Jan. 11, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT FlCE BALLCOCK Application May 2, 1934, Serial No. 723,460

7 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in a ballcock or valve which is operated to open and close by the falling and rising of a iloat located in a tank in which a suitable supply of water or other fluid is to be maintained.

The object of this invention is to produce a device of this character which is effective and silent in operation, simple in construction for manufacture, replacement and repair, composed of few parts and strong in construction and having a long life.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as may hereinafter appear, this invention consists in the construction, cornbination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and then sought to be dened in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof and which shows, merely for the purpose of illustrative disclosure, a preferred embodiment of our invention, it being expressly understood, however, that various changes may be made in practice within the scope of the claims without digressing from our inventive idea.

In the drawing- Figure 1 represents a view of part of a tank with a device constructed according to our invention installed therein.

Figure 2 is a vertical cross section through the device shown in Figure 1, the parts being illustrated in closed position.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 with the valve being shown in open position.

Figure 4 is a detailed section.

Referring now to the drawing, the numeral I designates a suitable tank or other receptacle adapted to hold a supply of water or other fluid and having an inlet pipe 2. 3 is the cock or valve as a whole which is operated automatically by means of the float 4 and its operating arm 5.

The valve device 3 includes a casing 6 which is in the form of a pipe or cylinder having a seat cap 'I at its lower end which is provided with a relatively narrow opening 8 therethrough communicating with the upper end of the inlet pipe 2 which has a screw threaded connection to the seat cap 'I, as shown. This seat cap also has a screw threaded connection 9 with the lower end of the valve casing B and has an upstanding annular seat or flange I0 provided around the openingr 8. The inner peripheral edge of the seat cap 'I forms a shoulder II which is adapted to support the inner sleeve I2. This inner sleeve is positioned inside the outer sleeve 6 and is less in length and is provided on its outer surface with a spiral flange I3 and I3'. The spiral flange I3 is on a slightly greater pitch than the spiral I3 and each extends for substantially one-half the length of the inner sleeve l2. These spiral flanges I3 and I3 engage the inner surface of the outer sleeve 6 so as to form spiral conduits between the two sleeves, the lower portion of the conduit being less in width than the upper portion of the conduit.

The upper end of the sleeve t is closed by means of the plug or cap I4 which is screw threaded to the upper end thereof and is provided with a downwardly extending portion I5 to fit Within the inside of the inner sleeve I2 and having a packing IE provided between the end thereof and a partition I'I in sleeve member I2. Sleeve member I2 has another intermediate partition I1 near its lower end and both partitions and the cap I4 are provided with alined apertures to slidably receive the valve stem or rod I 8 which passes entirely through the inner sleeve I2 and has a valve construction formed on its lower end. This valve construction includes a suitable washer I 9 held in place by sleeve 2li which has a screw threaded connection with the lower end of the valve stem or rod I8.

The valve casing E is provided with an outlet conduit 2| extending outwardly from an intermediate portion thereof and having a discharge pipe 22 connected therewith. Above the conduit 2I the valve casing 6 is provided with a laterally extending lug 23 which forms the means to receive the actuating levers of the device. This lug is provided on one side with a plurality of ribs 24 arranged in rectangular form and the central part of the lug has a screw threaded aperture to receive the attaching or securing screw 25 which is provided with a holding shoulder 26. These parts are adapted to cooperate with a bracket 21 which has a plate member 28 provided with a cut-out slot 29 and rectangular grooves 30 arranged around the slot and adapted to engage the ribs 24 on the lug. The lower part of the plate 28 is formed with a rib adapted to fit within the lower rib on the lug 23. This plate portion 28 is offset with respect to the bracket 2l as a whole and securely held in place on the lug when the screw 25 is tightened against it with the shoulder 26 in bearing relation thereto.

The pivots, (described later) on the bracket are 'I' centrally located with respect to the valve cas ing as a whole.

The bracket member is provided with an upwardly and forwardly extending arm 32 and a rearwardly extending arm 33. The rearwardly extending arm pivotally receives the socket member 34 to which is connected the iioat rod 5. The pivotal connection is provided by a pair of spaced lugs 35 positioned on opposite sides on the end of the arm 33 with the pintle 36 passing therethrough. The socket member 34 is provided with an actuating member 31 which has an aperture 38 therethrough to receive arm 39 of the valve operating lever 40. The aperture 3B is rectangular in form and the arm 39 is rectangular in cross section, having its outer end tapered generally toward a point as at 40 with its lower edge inclined upwardly as at 4I. The t between the aperture 38 and the lever arm 39 is loose but sufficiently close so that when the socket member is turned on its pivot the lever arm 39 will be raised or lowered, as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

The valve operating lever 40 has a pivotal mounting on the upper end of arm 32 of bracket 21, which is provided by the pair of spaced arms or yoke 42 embracing the upper end of arm 32 and pivotally connected thereto by a pintle 43. The ends of these arms 42 are provided with circular bearing portions 44 which are positioned between the spaced anges 45 and 46 on opposite sides of the head 41 which is screw threaded to the upper end of the valve stem or rod I8. This gives a loose bearing and operative connection between the valve operating lever and the valve stem or rod.

The operation of this device should be well understood from the above description. When the lever of the water in the tank is lowered the oat will drop to the position shown in Figure 3, when the actuating arm 31 will force the lever arm 39 downwardly thereby raising the other arms 42 and the connected valve stem or rod upwardly to lift the valve l! oif its seat I0 and permit the entrance of Water through the spiral passages, discharge conduit 2| and discharge pipe 22. When the float is raised to its normal position as shown in Figure 1, the actuating member or lever 31 will have moved the lever arm 39 upwardly and lowered the lever arms 42 and the connected valve stem or rod and valve to its lowered or closed position as shown in Figiu'e 2. 'I'his completes a cycle of operation.

It is to be noted that the leverage arrangement shown is compound, and furthermore, that the arm 39 is considerably longer than the arms 42 so that a substantial increase in leverage is obtained. Furthermore, the entire operating or actuating means or levers may be disconnected or detached as a unit merely by loosening the one screw 25. The construction, however, is so arranged that the connection is secure and fast, and there is no opportunity for unintentional loosening of the parts. The location of the connection of the bracket 21 to the lug 23 avoids loose toggle connections or jamming, due to proximity of the lifting means. rI'his construction also readily permits the interchange of the parts whereby different leverage may be used. The arrangement of the arms 42 for lifting the valve is important in that it gives a uniform straight pull on the valve stem or rod which minimizes wear and affords effective operation. The combination spiral I3 and I3 is very effective in eliminating noise. The packing construction for the top cap l 4 is very simple. The use of the bottom seat cap permits the replacement or repair of the seat without the destruction of any of the other parts.

The entrance to the discharge conduit is located above the end of the spiral I3 and in the range of spiral I3' which is an important factor in silent and effective operation.

What we claim is:

l. A device of the character described, including in combination a valve casing having an inlet connection and also having a discharge connection and a valve for controlling the inlet connection to control the passage of water through the valve casing to the discharge connection,

means for actuating the valve including a. bracket supported upon the casing, a valve operating lever pivotally connected to the bracket, one arm of the lever having an operative connection with the valve and the other arm of the lever being elongated, an actuating member pivotally connected to said bracket and adapted to be connected to a oat for operation thereby, said actuating member having an arm extending upwardly therefrom provided with an aperture therethrough to receive the longer arm of the rst mentioned lever and adapted to engage the upper and lower edges of the same when the float rises or falls so as to cause said first mentioned lever to operate the valve.

2. A device of the character described, including, in combination, a valve casing having an inlet connection and an outlet connection, a valve for said inlet connection, a bracket supported on said casing, means for actuating said valve including a valve operating lever pivotally connected to said bracket, one arm of said lever being relatively short and having an operative connection with said valve and the other arm of said lever being elongated, an actuating member pivotally connected to said bracket and adapted to be connected to a oat for operation thereby, said actuating member having a rigid arm extending upwardly therefrom and being provided with a slot, the end portion of said longer arm of said lever being slidably received in said slot, whereby when the float rises or falls said rigid arm will cooperate with said longer arm to actuate said valve.

3. A device of the character described, including in combination, a valve casing having an nlet connection and an outlet connection, a valve for said inlet connection, a bracket supported on said casing, means for actuating said valve including a valve operating lever pivotally connected to said bracket, one arm of said lever being relatively short and having an operative connection with said valve and the other arm of said lever being elongated, an actuating member pivotally connected to said bracket and adapted to be connected to a float 'for operation thereby, said actuating member having a rigid arm extending f upwardly therefrom and being provided with a slot, the end portion of said longer arm of said lever being slidably received in said slot, whereby when the float rises or falls said rigid arm will cooperate with said longer arm to actuate said valve, the end portion of said longer arm being tapered to cooperate with said slot in said rigid arm during the operation of the device.

4. A device of the character described, including in combination, a vave casing having an inlet connection and an outlet connection, a valve for said inlet connection, a bracket removably mounted on said casing, said bracket having extensions, means for actuating said. valve including a valve operating lever pivotally connected to one extension on said bracket, one arm of said lever being relatively short and having an operative connection with said valve, said lever having an elongated arm, an actuating member pivotally connected to the other extension on said bracket and adapted to be actuated by a float, said actuating member having a rigid arm extending upwardly therefrom and being provided with a slot, the end portion of said elongated arm of said lever being slidably received in said slot, whereby as the float rises or falls said rigid arm will cooperate with said longer arm to actu-ate said valve.

5. A device of the character described, including in combination, a valve casing having an inlet connection and an outlet connection, a valve for said inlet connection, a bracket removably mounted on said casing, said bracket having extensions, means for actuating said valve including a valve operating lever pivotally connected to one extension on said bracket, one arm of said lever being relatively short and having an operative connection with said valve, said lever having an elongated arm, an actuating member pivotally connected to the other extension on said bracket and adapted to be actuated by a oat, said actuating member having a rigid arm extending upwardly therefrom and being provided with a slot, the end portion of said elongated arm of said lever being slidably received in said slot, whereby as the float rises or falls said rigid arm will cooperate with said longer arm to actuate said valve, the end portion of said longer arm being tapered to cooperate with said slot in said rigid arm during the operation of the device.

6. A device of the character described, including in combination, a valve casing having an inlet connection and an outlet connection, a valve for said inlet connection, a lug extending from said casing, a bracket having a plate, said plate and said lug having interttlng parts, a single screw for removably holding said plate on said lug, means mounted on said bracket for actuating said valve, said means including a valve operating lever pivoted to said bracket, one arm of said lever being relatively short and having an operative connection with said valve, the other arm of said lever being elongated, an actuating member pivotally connected to said bracket and adapted to be actuated by a float, said actuating member having a rigid arm extending therefrom and being provided with a slot to slidably receive the end portion of said elongated arm, said bracket and means for actuating said valve being removable from said valve casing as a unit.

'7. A device of the character described, including in combination, a valve casing having an inlet connection and also having a discharge connection and a valve for controlling the inlet connection to control the passage of water through the valve casing to the discharge connection, a compound lever construction for operating the valve including one lever member having one arm operatively connected to the valve and having a second and longer arm, a second lever member having means for connection with a float and also having an actuating member extending at an angle thereto and adapted to engage and actuate the longer arm of the first lever member, said actuating member being provided with an opening to receive the longer arm "j" of the iirst lever member whereby engagement of the actuating member with the upper and lower surfaces of said longer arm will actuate the same as the oat moves up and down.

JAMES F. DUNCAN. EDWARD H. BARLOW. 

